"Handbagged" by Moira Buffini

Nottingham Lace Market Theatre.

I've always steered clear of politics, mainly because I don't fully understand the mechanics of politics, but this play is one that I have seen before and enjoyed. Buffini's political comedy breaks down all the stuffiness of politics and shows, at that time, the two most powerful women in the world, Margaret Thatcher and The Queen in conversation and behind closed doors. Of course, this is not based on fact, but what the conversations may have been. The term "Handbagged" was coined by Margaret Thatcher early into her term of office as a symbol of her power and a political prop.

The play originally started as a one act play back in 2010, but here is performed as two acts, with The Queen announcing the interval. All characters break the fourth wall and even state that whatever is discussed will be kept "within these three walls".

There are two actors presenting as The Queen and Mrs Thatcher, showing the younger and older versions of these two women. this shows, especially with Mrs Thatcher the way she changes the tone of her voice, and it's clear that a lot of work has gone into this area of the play. There is no attempt to make this into an impressions piece, but the look, costumes and vocal stylings are all there.

Carol Parkinson plays the elder version of Queen Elizabeth II, or "Q" as shown in the programme. Amanda Hodgson plays the younger version of The Queen, shown as "Liz" in the programme.

Sarah Taylor is "T", aka the elder Mrs Thatcher and Felicity Curtis is "Mags", the younger Maggie. Between them they have captured all of those recognisable Margaret Thatcher looks and nuances.

They alternate as narrator for their counterpart character, correcting, affirming and denying sections of speech in the way that they remember the events of the time.

Closing your eyes you instantly recognise the recognisable Thatcher tones; the Queen's are not as recognisable. That aside though it's not imperitive that the voices sound exactly like the characters, because we can see who they are meant to be and the comedy is in the delivery of the script, and the content of the script.

All other roles in the play are portrayed by two other actors, Paul Johnson and John Parker. These two add a great deal of comedy to this play, taking on other political figures, and even a battle between two Neil Kinnock characters and Paul even taking on Nancy Reagan. They introduce themselves as their characters, and what I also love is the range of accents brought forth by this pair of fun mimics.

Directed by Colin Treliving, who also created the set design. It's fast moving and the comedy timing with all the actors is spot on. The set is simple, which includes a sumptious backdrop along side a pair of chairs and a table plus regal looking drapes. Simple but effective.

Philip Hogarth was responsible for the lighting design, which comes into it's own with the character's monologues and the lighting is dimmed to spotlight the said character speech.

The Sound Design is by Jonathan Blacknell; again fairly simple sound effects but expertly placed for the best effect.

Mrs Thatcher and the Queen had a very specific style, clothing wise, and making sure that both ladies looked the part is down to Linda Croston and Jane Herring from the costume department.

An incredibly enjoyable piece of theatre, and you don't have to have any knowledge of politics to get the most out of this very funny play, presented by a cast of great actors who know how to deliver. They have the subtle lampooning down to a fine art; you may even get to shake the hand of the Queen, or one of the Queens, and by the final bows all six actors are handbagged.

"Handbagged" is at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre until Saturday 4 February, and as of writing, tickets are selling pretty fast!